Too many meetings? Break free from the vicious cycle

Training Theme

This training addresses the problem of unproductive meetings and offers concrete solutions to optimize the time spent in meetings. Through case studies, powerful statistics and practical tools, it raises awareness about the real cost of unnecessary meetings and guides towards better management. Participants learn how to assess the relevance of meetings, how to better prepare and facilitate them, and how to adopt more effective alternatives. The training encourages awareness and a change in behaviour to get out of "meetingitis" and regain productivity and efficiency at work.

Training Objectives

In this online course, you will learn how to:

• Diagnose your meeting practices
• Ask 3 key questions to determine the necessity of a meeting.
• Choose effective alternatives to meetings, which are less costly than actual meetings.
• Avoid wasting time in meetings through excellent targeting, preparation, and facilitation.
• Optimize the duration and participatory nature of meetings.
• Encourage all participants to speak effectively while avoiding derailments and off-topic discussions.
• Make clear decisions at the end of meetings by proposing a committed action plan.

Target Audience 

All persons in a position to host or participate in meetings.

Training Content 

This module contains 4 parts:

DISCOVER

• Identify your personal challenges and motivations for change.

SHAKING UP

• The cost of unnecessary meetings: display of the actual price of the meetings (2.115 USD)
• The key figures of the meeting:
  • Average meeting length: 54 min to 1h26
  • Cost: $100 million shortfall
  • 30% would do without meetings but only 14% dare to decline them
  • 18 hours per week on average in 17.7 meetings
  • 86% of French people confronted with useless meetings

LEARN

• Expert video: Meetingnitis or useless meetings, 7'27
  • Analysis in 3 points: the overflow of French-style meetings, the exorbitant cost of meetings and the reasons for wasting time
• Quiz and TRUE/FALSE exercise on good practices in meetings

ANCHOR

• 10 introspection questions about meeting productivity
• Commitment to change through the testimonies of Tom, David, Carmen and Lilly
• Use concrete examples to define your own commitment to change.

Additional resources

• Downloadable documents
  • Coaching memo sheet (PDF)
• Bonus: TED or Youtube video(s)